Takin' It Easy

Last Saturday, I ran another eight miles and it became clear to me after only a few minutes that I am over-training.  My legs felt heavy and sluggish.  Honestly, I already knew that I had been pushing it too hard for a few weeks, at least, but I didn't want to admit it.  I have a hard time accepting a workout as "good enough" if it doesn't leave me exhausted and wrecked.  In a good way.  :)  My self-confidence and self-esteem rely heavily on how hard I push myself as an athlete.  Not good.  Luckily, the fear of not being able to run due to an injury is stronger than my urge to overdo it.  So, I'm trying hard to focus on the "big picture".  I have some lofty (for me!) running goals and taking it easy on my rest and recovery days is the only way that my body will be able to gain strength and speed.

Yesterday, I did 30 minutes of yoga, followed by an easy 25 minutes on my bike and 20 push-ups.  Not too tough.  

Today, I debated not exercising at all, since I have a hard tempo run scheduled for tomorrow morning, but I just couldn't NOT exercise!  It really does help to calm my anxiety and keep me moving through this low mood, rather than simply wallowing in it.  So, I rode my bike for 35 minutes.  Normally, in my crazy mind, anything less than 45 minutes is unacceptable.  And I still fought that silly, critical voice when I stopped at 35 minutes, but I'm proud of myself that I did what was best for my body.  Victory!  

Along Henderson Blvd., near my home.  I frequently run along this road.  I love all the pink blossoms!

*****

 I have never really had a desire to run a marathon.  I don't know why, since I like taking on challenges that make people go, "Wow!  You did that?!?!"  :)  Over the last few months, though, I've started feeling like maybe a marathon should be my next major goal; after I run a few more half-marathons, anyway.  I was well and truly inspired to run a marathon yesterday as I watched coverage of the Boston Marathon.  I am in awe of what those elite runners can do!  I was also inspired by the story of a runner-blogger that I love and admire, HungryRunnerGirl.com.  I followed her progress as she trained for Boston and was moved by her account of how the race went.  And while I would now love to run Boston someday, I don't know if I'll ever be fast enough to qualify.  Maybe I'll reevaluate after I tackle that first marathon.  To be continued...

It was awesome to see an American (Desi!) holding her own amongst all those talented African runners.  

*****

I read a beautiful passage in a beautiful book today.  The book is, "Longbourn" by Jo Baker.  Any Jane Austen fans will love it, I'm sure.  The part that resonated with me today was about the head housekeeper, a woman with a very tiring, very difficult life.  But this is what she said (thought):

"There was so much to be thankful for: there was pleasure in her work, in the rituals and routines of service, the care and conservation of beautiful things, the baking of good bread and the turning of rough, raw foods into savoury and sustaining meals.  There was pleasure, too, in the little clutch of people that she now had clustered around her."  

Obviously, I don't have to work as hard as a head housekeeper in mid-nineteenth-century Britain, but my life right now revolves around repetitive chores and the needs of my little ones.  While I am grateful that I can stay home with my babies, I find it difficult to not be frustrated and bored with this lifestyle (I enjoy it more when my kids are older...grow quickly, Tess!  But not really.).  So, reading those words reminded me of the beauty in my everyday.    

Birdies basking in the sun on my back fence.